Over the past month there are 2 indicators that show me things are getting better.

1. The number of positive stories I would like to include at my blog (but don’t have time too) has double or tripled over the past month.

2. I have had 5 students get jobs or internships in the past month, a normal month is 1-2. These are not dream jobs, these are entry level, or part time, but they are jobs. I believe slowly the economy is coming back. Traditionally December is a very slow month, the fact that I have met with 2 local companies this month about hiring students is a minor miracle.

I share this information, not only to lift our spirits but to make a point that the “experts” who predict doom and gloom in the economy are irrelevant in the face of someone you know getting a job, avoiding foreclosure, getting health care, etc. Stories of personal success are very powerful. I hope that as good things happen to folks in our lives, we will share them here so we can all be encouraged.

Chips – you are the best. This site is the best. I can hardly wait for Winter break so I can get some serious blogging done and add more resources to the WIW site.

Which is why I haven’t watched Alex’s shows since day two. I tried on day one, but could see where she was headed. She’s another immature, jealous snake in the grass, from my POV. Others like Rev. Al keep inviting her on their programs, but I don’t listen.

Hey, Alex: You keep sending, but I’m not receiving! What a disrespectful thing to say about President Obama.

I know I’ve pointed this out before (redundant much? 😆 ), but if any of you have PBO’s book “Dreams of My Father”, check out the picture of PBO’s father with his mother. Sasha has a strong resemblance to PBO’s grandmother. Malia features seem to be more from Stanley Ann’s side of the family. Both girls have been blessed with good genes IMO.

Beautiful. Beautiful. Beautiful. Beautiful. America couldn’t ask for a more beautiful First Family! We must all work hard to make sure the Obamas return to the White House for another four years (beyond the current term). BTW, don’t you just love how they’re all joined at the hands? 🙂 Just beautiful.

The best of luck to this woman. What a worry. I’d like to burn the ears off some of the gas bags in Congress holding up this small thing just because they can. OUT they go in 2012! But families can’t wait for all those months with nothing.

Wednesday], starting at 11 a.m. ET, we’re joining with Working America, NELP, MomsRising, HERvotes, USAction and a slew of other organizations and bloggers to launch an #ExtendUI tweet-a-thon. We’re sending a clear message: No Strings, No Cuts: #ExtendUI Now! The first thing you can do to join the tweet-a-thon is visit our tweet-a-thon page and tell your friends what’s happening.

Gorgeous,beautiful family. You can feel the love.
Thank you PBO for another promise kept to healthcare workers.
Brought tears to my eyes watching the video ‘walking a day
in a homecare worker’s shoes’. And then your speech today saying we can’t wait.
Methink by the time you are out of office I will be out of tears 🙂

FACT CHECK: Most Companies Not Caving To Intolerance, Will Continue To Advertise On ‘All-American Muslim’
By Tanya Somanader on Dec 14, 2011 at 2:20 pm

Crowing over its Islamophobic success, FFA boasted that 65 companies have withdrawn advertising after receiving the group’s complaint. However, at least three companies told the New York Times that FFA boast is “inaccurate” at best. Campbell Soup Company, Sears, and Bank of America didn’t actually pull any of their ads and, unlike FFA, they do in fact support “diversity and inclusion“:

~snip~

In fact, the American Muslim reports that numerous other companies including Gap, Green mountain Coffee, Home Depot, Art Instruction Schools, Amway, and Cumberland Packing say they’re being misrepresented by FFA as companies that agreed to pull ads. Indeed, ad space for the next episode of All-American Muslim is sold out.

Gingrich is trying to equate poverty with a moral shortcoming. It’s a warped offshoot of the prosperity gospel – riches are a sign of god’s love – poverty is a sign of his indifference.

But also in this richer-and-therefore-holier-than-thou diatribe of Gingrich’s is an attempt to bust unions. He suggested firing union janitors to hire children to clean their own schools. Yes, a janitor with a job that pays him enough to live on is, in Gingrich’s eyes, a problem. In the call for hiring children and ending child labor laws is the call to end working for a living.

It is a very moving and beautiful portriat of our First Family, and I love that it was taken in the Oval Office. Thanks for sharing it within our family here, Chipsticks so that we may comment on our lovely Pete Souza as well. He is such a gifted photographer.

Everyone have a beautiful day in all that you do. Love you all very much,HZ

😯 What a beautiful portrait of the first family. Just wonderful. A model for the rest of the world. Thanks Chips for all these fantastic pics and stories. My father has become addicted to this site as well. KUDOS!!

So beautiful; the love and unity (so cute the way PBO always matches his tie to something his ladies wear. I noticed it again when he and FLOTUS were at Fort Bragg; his tie matched her blouse). I feel as proud of the Obama family as if they are my own. For some reason this portrait brings tears to my eyes.

Hi TOD Family, I just gave another $10.00 a few hours ago, and now we are only $10.00 away from The Obama Diary grassroots goal. Please lets take it over !!!!!!! We can do it. Look at the top. Hey, Hey, Hey!!!!!! HZ

I want Bo to be in the picture in between Malia and the President with his paw on each of them. And where is grandma. I can’t wait for the books to come out from them about their time in the White House. They are trickling out these photos and you just know there are many more lurking. I think I saw on one of the videos that there are thousands of photos taken but less than one hundred make it onto Flickr. Le Sad:(

I loved the first picture but this one is even better. It is an example of the joy they show when they are together. They show so much love to the children and the girls look so secure and self assured. They are so blessed !!!! I continue to pray that they will be with us in the White House for four more years after this term and I wish them all the best because they are the best!!!